Newly-discovered electrical circuit problems with the Taurus rocket which will be used to launch ROCSAT-2, Taiwan's second satellite, have delayed the scheduled liftoff from Jan. 17 to Feb. 26, according to the National Space Program Office (NSPO) yesterday.
According to Lee Luo-chuan (李羅權), the president of the National Applied Research laboratories and NSPO director, US Orbital Sciences Corp (OSC), the operator of the Taurus launch vehicle, sent an official letter yesterday morning informing the office that it would take five more weeks to solve the electrical problems.
"The unexpected delay can be entirely attributed to OSC instead of NSPO, which has done its best for the launch," Lee said yesterday at a press conference.
According to Lee, OSC Chairman and CEO David Thompson discussed the electrical problems with him via telephone Tuesday, suggesting that the launch should be postponed.
Lee immediately demanded an official letter describing problems and possible solutions.
Last Thursday, technicians found abnormal electrical current levels when a newly-repaired electronic control unit (ECU) installed in the launch vehicle was switched on for the first time.
Lee said it remains uncertain if the ECU, which was temporarily overloaded, can still function properly.
The ECU plays a key role in adjusting the direction of a satellite blasted into orbit on a rocket.
Abnormal vibration of the ECU installed on the rocket previously postponed the launch from the end of this month to Jan. 17.
"Under the circumstances, OSC will have to either revise the circuit design or use a new ECU," Lee said.
Based on the contract, OSC will have to pay US$36,000 for each day caused by the delay.
Lee said he still had faith in the reliability of OSC because the Taurus rocket, a four-stage, ground-launched vehicle, had successfully launched several satellites this year.
"We agreed to the delay in order to ensure the successful of liftoff of ROCSAT-2 and its future normal operation in space," Lee said.
NSPO scientists said that similar electric circuit problems have been seen before. Abnormal electrical current caused malfunction of the solar panels of a Japanese satellite, resulting in the failure of the satellite in space, they said.
NSPO deputy director Chen Shao-shing (陳紹興), said the delay of ROCSAT-2's launch was an unexpected because electrical circuit design was a very basic task, which should have been easily managed.
Chen said that ROCSAT-2 arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Dec. 2. A three-day test conducted by an NSPO team suggested that the satellite itself was in excellent condition.
The satellite should be coupled with the Taurus launch vehicle at least 13 days prior to liftoff.
Chen said that the NSPO would soon recall most of its staff, who arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base earlier this month to conduct pre-preparation for the launch.
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